Here's a thing...

[tesla321]

My office partner's secretary is getting a divorce, and her other, excellent lawyer withdrew. After we separately decided it wasn't good office practice to rep someone in your office, N. is now representing herself. She keeps asking me hypothetical questions, and I told her I'm not giving you legal advice, but the result is, she thinks she knows

Comments

[curiouswombat]

She thinks she is entitled to alimony, a share of the house, and insurance. It is not going to happen.

My daughter is learning that friends always want free advice - as long as it is what they want you to tell them, not ow life is.

Recently a friend said 'K, is yours one of the law firms that does the half hour's advice free?'

'No -'fraid not!'

'Oh... I was just wanting someone to confirm that I'm right about...blah, blah, blah.'

After about three minutes of what her friend, was sure was right, D-d answered 'Helen - I can start to charge you at this point, as billable time, or I can give you the one minute free advice. At the end of as much billable time as you want my advice will still be the same. Are you crazy? You haven't a leg to stand on, you are totally out of order and anyone but me would be laughing in your face!'

Fortunately they have been friends for a very long time. But Helen was still muttering 'But what if...' and 'Maybe you're wrong, you are only a junior...' and so on by the end of the evening.

[tesla321]

Exactly right. Even when they're paying you, they try to argue you down. I was a legal secretary myself, and I can see how N. thinks she knows what's going on. But the problem is, in trial, you have to have all the facts and the rules of evidence and be objective about it. I wish I dared say, "Yeah, Ted Bundy represented himself, too."

I wish I got to wear a wig and robe when I try cases---I wouldn't have to worry about my hair and about dressing professionally. Men wear any suit and a tie and look respectable but middle aged women have to work at striking the right note (and we can't get a deduction on our taxes either) before the court and jurors!